Competency of accused Encinitas killer to be re-evaluated

VISTA - A man accused in the stabbing death of his former
landlord in Encinitas will be examined to determine if he will be
committed to a state mental hospital for a second time, a judge
ruled Wednesday.

The decision by Judge Timothy Casserly will delay a trial
scheduled early next month for 25-year-old Brandon Taylor Lee, who
is charged with murder in the Oct. 15, 2005, death of Robert Duane
Mason.

Lee was arrested about six hours after Mason's body was
discovered in his Pegaso Street home.

The defendant was sent to Patton State Hospital for treatment of
schizophrenia and psychosis. He was pronounced competent to stand
trial and returned to San Diego County last July.

Defense attorney Sloan Ostbye said her client was cooperative at
that time, but has become progressively less communicative.

She said Lee, who has not taken his medication since last
August, was unable "to assist in his defense in any meaningful
way."

Lee is scheduled to be examined by county-appointed experts on
May 8. A hearing on whether to return him to Patton is set for May
23.